Container



July 20, 1937 A. A. wEsco'rT CONTAINER Filed May 29, 1956 Patented July20, 1937 UNHTED STAT 8 Claims.

This invention relates to containers, and more particularly tocontainers for materials: consisting of mixed solids and liquids such aspaint and the like, in which sedimentation or settling occurs uponstanding As is Well known, in the case of paint, for example, afterstanding for considerable periods the solid materials, no matter howfinely divided, settle to the bottom of the ordinary can or container,forming a compact mass which is dislodged and remixed with the liquidingredients only with considerable difficulty. In the usual case it isnecessary, after removing the lid of the container, to pour off a partof the liquid, to avoid spilling, and to stir the solid materials. withthe remaining liquids, using a rod or other implement, for aconsiderable period of time before a satisfactory mixture is obtained.It is then necessary to mix in the remainder of the liquid, either byfurther stirring or by pouring the materials from one container toanother until a satisfactory mixture results. These operations aretime-consuming, wasteful and messy, and furthermore result, usually, inan incomplete suspension of the solids, a certain proportion of whichcontinues to adhere to the bottom and sides of the container.

One object of the present invention is to provide means for preventingthe solid ingredients of paint and similar materials from concentratingat the bottom of the container. A further object is the provision ofmeans whereby the ingredients of paint and the like, after standing forconsiderable periods, may be thoroughly mixed with facility and beforethe container is opened. Other and further objects, features andadvantages will appear from the description which follows, together withthe accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a container in accordance withthe present invention; and

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

The device comprises in general a container member I, of sheet metal orother suitable material, such as the ordinary paint can, having aconventional lid 2, upon the under side of which is secured a mixingdevice 3. In the embodiment illustrated, the lid 2 is secured to thecontainer member I by'means of a conventional friction seal, but it willbe understood that a threaded closure may be substituted if desired, orany other suitable means may be employed for securing the lid 2 to thecontainer member l.

l likewise the latter may take any suitable form in addition to thecylindrical form illustrated, and may be fabricated of any suitablematerial. For example, it may be desirable in certain cases to make thecontainer member 9 of glass, so that the progress of the mixingoperation may be observed without opening the container.

The mixing device 3, secured to the underside of the lid 2 in anysuitable fashion, comprises a generally cylindrical supporting member iand a series of bafiles 5 secured to the inner side of the member i atsuitable intervals along its height. Three such baffles 5 are shown inthe present embodiment, but it is obvious that the member may be variedin accordance with the size and shape of the container and the nature ofits intended contents.

The supporting member 3 is preferably slightly tapered, as shown, tofacilitate removal from the container and to avoid dripping upon theflanges of the container when the lidand mixing device are removed. Themember 1 and baffles 5 are preferably integral, and may be madeof anysuitable material. which is compatible with the intended contents of thecontainer and which is sufiiciently rigid for the purposeset forthbelow, sheet metal being a suitable material in the case of paint.

The member Al is pierced by a number of perforations 6, preferablyserrated as shown. The perforations 6 may vary in size and shape,according to the intended contents of the container, and may be arrangedin rows, as shown, or irregularly.

The bailles 5 are preferably frusto-conical in form, as shown, and arelikewise pierced by a plurality of perforations 1, similar to theperforations S. The upper edge 8 of each baffle, defining the centralopening 9, is also preferably serrated. When baffles such as thoseshown, are employed, having an outward and downward inclination, theperforations ii should be so ar ranged that one or more of suchperforations has its lowest point at or about the line of juncturebetween each baffle 5 and the member 4, thus providing an outlet fordraining each bafile as the mixing device is withdrawn from thecontainer.

From the foregoing description the operation of the device will beapparent. When the container is charged with a mixture of solids andliquids in suspension, and the lid and mixing device put in place, itwill be impossible for all of the solid ingredients to settle on thebottom of the container, as a large proportion of such materials will insettling, come to rest upon one or the other of the bafiles 5, the solidmaterials thus being divided between the bottom of the container and theseveral bafiies. When it is desired to make the contents available foruse, it is only necessary to shake the container, when the liduidingredients, jetting through the perforations 6 and i, will dislodge thesolid material from the bottom and walls of the container member I andthe surfaces of the mixing device 3, and cause it to become thoroughlymixed with the liquid ingredients. In charging the container, it ispreferred not to fill it completely, but to leave a certain proportionof the enclosed space unoccupied, thus enabling a better and quickermixing action than if the container is completely filled.

After the contents have been adequately mixed, the lid 2 is removed,bringing with it the mixing device 3, which is suspended momentarilyover the open mouth of the container to permit it to drain thereinto.The contents are then ready for use.

It will be apparent that many variations of the several elements of thecontainer and mixing device are possible, without departing from thescope of the present invention. For example, for applications in whichthe contents are to be removed to a second container before using, themixing device might be secured to the container member instead of thelid. Also, if desired, the mixing device might be made entirely separatefrom the container and lid.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the character described, a container, a lid forclosing said container, and a mixing device secured to said lid andcomprising a hollow perforated supporting member and a plurality ofperforated bafiles extending transversely of said supporting member andsecured thereto at spaced intervals.

2. In a device of the character described, a container, a lid forclosing said container, and a mixing device comprising a hollowperforated supporting member and a plurality of perforatedfrusto-conical baffles extending transversely of said supporting memberand secured thereto at spaced intervals.

3. In a device of the character described, a container, a lid forclosing said container, and a mixing device secured to said lid andcomprising a hollow perforated supporting member and a plurality ofperforated frusto-conical bafiies extending transversely of saidsupporting member and secured thereto at spaced intervals.

4. In a device of the character described, a container, a lid forclosing said container, and a mixing device secured to said lid andcomprising a hollow perforated supporting member and a plurality ofperforated frusto-conical baflles extending transversely of saidsupporting member and secured thereto at spaced intervals, a perforationbeing arranged in said supporting member adjacent the lowest point ofeach bafiie.

5. In a device of the character described, a container, a lid forclosing said container, and a mixing device secured to said lid andcomprising a tapered hollow perforated supporting member and a pluralityof perforated baiiles extending transversely of said supporting memberand secured thereto at spaced intervals.

6. In a device of the character described, a hollow supporting memberprovided with a plurality of perforations having serrated edges, and

a plurality of perforated baiiles secured transversely within saidsupporting member.

7. In a device of the character described, a hollow perforatedsupporting member, and a plurality of perforated baffles securedtransversely Within said supporting member, the perforations of saidsupporting member and baffles having serrated edges.

8. In a device of the character described, a hollow supporting memberhaving a plurality of transverse baffles secured therein, saidsupporting member and bafiles each having a plurality of stellatedperforations.

ALFRED A. WESCOTT.

